Social responsibility

Social responsibility and sustainability

1. Introduction/Preamble

Gantzkow Rohstoff GmbH is committed to socially responsible and sustainability-oriented corporate governance. We expect our business partners to behave in the same way. Our employees are also required to live by these principles.
Our conduct is based on compliance with national laws and regulations, international agreements such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and UNICEF's guidelines on children's rights and corporate action. We respect the ten principles of the UN Global Compact.
We expect our business partners to live by these principles and requirements resulting from the above-mentioned regulations and conventions and, in turn, to require their own business partners to comply with the listed standards and regulations.
Violations of this code of conduct may ultimately be grounds for us to terminate a business relationship.

2. Requirements for our business partners

2.1. Social responsibility

• No forced labour

No one may be employed against their will or forced to work. Psychological abuse, sexual harassment and humiliation are unacceptable and must not occur at any time.

• Prohibition of child labour

In accordance with ILO conventions, our business partners are required to only employ persons who are at least 15 years of age.

• Fair remuneration

Remuneration for regular work must be fair and at least equal to the national statutory minimum wage. Employees must be granted all benefits required by law. Wage deductions as punitive measures are not permitted.

• Fair working hours

Working hours must comply with applicable laws or industry standards. Overtime is only permitted if it is performed on a voluntary basis.

• Freedom of association

The freedom of association of employees must be recognised to the extent permitted by law. Members of employee organisations must not be given preferential treatment or disadvantaged.

• Prohibition of discrimination

Any form of unequal treatment of employees is prohibited. This applies to discrimination based on gender, national, ethnic or social origin, skin colour, disability, health status, political beliefs, ideology, religion, age, pregnancy or sexual orientation. The personal dignity, privacy and personal rights of each individual must be respected at all times.

• Health protection; safety at work

As an employer, you are responsible for providing a safe and healthy working environment. The establishment and application of appropriate occupational safety systems serve as a necessary precautionary measure against accidents and damage to health. Employees are regularly informed and trained about applicable health and safety standards and measures.

2.2. Environmental responsibility

• Treatment and discharge of industrial wastewater

Wastewater from operational processes, manufacturing processes and sanitary facilities must be classified, monitored, checked and, if necessary, treated before discharge or disposal. In addition, measures should be introduced to reduce the generation of wastewater.

• Handling air emissions

General emissions from operational processes (air and noise emissions) and exhaust gas purification systems must be continuously monitored and treated if necessary. Everyone is encouraged to find economical solutions to minimise all emissions.

• Handling waste and hazardous substances

Waste must be reduced, recycled and disposed of responsibly. The prohibitions on the export of hazardous waste in the Basel Convention of 22 March 1989, as amended, must be observed. Chemicals or other materials that pose a threat to the environment must be handled in such a way that safety is guaranteed at all times when dealing with these substances.

• Reducing the consumption of raw materials and natural resources

The use and consumption of resources during production and the generation of waste of any kind, including water and energy, must be reduced or avoided.

• Energy consumption/efficiency

Energy consumption must be monitored and documented. Cost-effective solutions must be found to improve energy efficiency and minimise energy consumption.

2.3. Ethical business conduct

• Fair competition

The applicable antitrust laws must be applied, which prohibit agreements and other activities that influence prices or conditions when dealing with competitors.

• Confidentiality/data protection

When collecting, storing, processing, transmitting and disclosing personal information, data protection and information security laws and official regulations must be observed at all times.

• Intellectual property

Intellectual property rights must be respected; technology and know-how transfer must be carried out in such a way that intellectual property rights and customer information are protected.

• Integrity/bribery, accepting advantages

All business activities must be based on the highest standards of integrity. A zero-tolerance policy must be pursued with regard to bribery, corruption, extortion and embezzlement.

August 2024

back